Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - King of Battle and Blood

Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

King of Battle and Blood by Scarlett St. Clair

8 reviews

mycutykoala's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

margaret_k30's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

I had started to guess it was going to happen but was so disappointed when it turned out she was just a reincarnation of the previous love interesting, what little good character development was basically swept aside for this terrible "twist"

Content Warnings

karapillar's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging dark emotional mysterious sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

just_one_more_paige's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

So, I read A Touch of Darkness (in one sitting) on Xmas Day, as I was (happily) home alone and relaxing. It was exactly what I wanted it to be. And I was in the mood for more like it as New Year's Day approached. However, I also had been good with where that one finished and wasn't interested in more from Hades and Persephone, at least right now, so I decided to give St. Clair's new book/series a try instead, since the vibe on the first one had been so right. And let me tell you, not only did this hit the spot, it was even better! And honestly now I'm frustrated (in a good way) because I do want more from these characters, but the rest of the series isn't out yet! Gahhhhh!

King Adrian and his vampire army are on the doorstep of Isolde's kingdom and she would do anything to save her people from their vengeful conquering. So, when her father invites Adrian in to treat with him, and his offer of peaceful power transfer is contingent on Isolde becoming his wife, she agrees. Her secret plan, of course, is to use this opportunity to get close enough to kill him, but when her assassination attempt fails, she realizes she may need to get to know him better to really uncover any weaknesses. Over the time she spends with him traveling back to his home country of Revekka, and the weeks with him there, Isolde starts to realize that there may be more to his monstrousness than she'd originally thought. And there is absolutely no denying the physical pull between them, the sexual tension (and lots more than tension!) are real.

Y'all, there was nothing deep about this book. Nothing. And I loved every flipping second of it. First, and most importantly, there was so much sex. And it was so good and so steamy. I saw a review of this one on Goodreads that said "This might be for you if your first priority is vampire sex." And while that was a one-star review...it was also exactly right. And since I went into it with vampire sex as a priority, I'm giving it a very high star rating for the exact same reason. Moral of the story: know what you are getting into because it's exactly what you get. And for me, it was exactly what I wanted. Related, there was some light, interesting, reflection on how desire and lust are often coated in shame (especially for women) and it does not have to and should not be that way (and the recognition of love and sex not having to exist hand in hand, even if they eventually do).

Other than that, I have to admit that I am also a sucker for the "good monster" trope. Like, in this world, vampires are expected to be terrible and, in fact, are not, it's a lot of misinformation and misconception. I am particularly drawn in by this when it's in contrast or juxtaposition with a "bad human" alternative, as it was here. Great messaging around how looks/assumptions can be so deceiving. Another thing I was totally here for was Isolde's bloodthirstiness. I mean IRL, I obviously vote for the "trial and proven guilty" and whatnot. But in this fantasy setting, I’m *down* with all the immediate stabbing of icky men (and Adrian's unrepentant support of it).

Plot-wise...this is where I was surprised. There was a lot more to the world-building here than I had expected. The story behind Adrian's "curse," the connection that Isolde has to his past, the history of witches and magic and how that ties in with Adrian's current-day conquest(s) and his interest in Isolde was all way more interesting than I had anticipated. And then that ending, with Isolde's father's visit - shocking! - along with a bit of a cliff-hanger that definitely makes me want to know more. I also appreciated that, while this was mostly entertaining and fun and sexy, this plot gave it a bit more complexity as it introduced/intertwined the concept of perspective in history, and the dominant voices being the ones whose story persists, even when that story is not, in fact, the "factual" truth.

This novel had a bit of everything you want in an escapist read: magic and magical creatures (yea, I love vampires, I blame Buffy), drama (political and interpersonal), fantasy-style fighting and violence, and spectacular (quality and quantity) sex scenes. Like I said, I thought I'd be "one and done" with this series because I was with A Touch of Darkness, but the fantasy and surrounding world here grabbed me so much more and I want to see where everything goes next (plus I need more of Adrian and Isolde together, *sweating* thinking about it). So, here I am now, unexpectedly having to wait for the next book to be published. Haha.

“There was a difference between a monster and someone who could be monstrous.”

“History is just perspective. It changes depending on your side.”

“Secrets only make the world curious. Better to display than to hide.”

“What have you learned? \ Things that scare me, I said. \ Do you mean that you have learned the truth? he asked.”

“I did not want to die a hero. I wanted to live as a conqueror.”

Content Warnings

naaytaashreads's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

“Not to worry, my sweet. I will not feed from you. Not until you ask.” “I will never ask.” The Blood King’s lips twitched, and when he spoke, his voice was reverent. “You will. You will beg for it.”

There are not enough stars in the world for me to give to King of Battle and Blood.
I devoured, fell in love, needed more and consumed the read like it was made for me.
For a long time, I've been looking for a vampire read, more dark, intense romance, which gave it to me.

I was sceptical in reading the series as I did not enjoy Scarlett St. Claire - Persephone x Hades series; however, this one blew my mind away.
From the beginning of the first chapter, it captivated me with what was going on.
The world introduced to us was pretty fast at the start, introducing the characters and their tension and later on, it slowed down the pace to tell a story of the world and their history.

The storytelling of their history was brilliantly written.
The mixture and parallel of history and Isolde's life were dream-like. I was confused at first by the parallel and overlapped, but later on, it made me awe at how it was done.

I love that we follow the storytelling and get to know the world's truth with Isolde. We discover the history, how Isolde was a part of this history, and why she arranged marriage to Adrian so important. From the pacing of the read, we get to witness Isolde's character growth. She has always been a badass,, but because of who she is, her life has always been dictated by her father, commander, and people. She didn't know who she was and who she was meant to be. It was such a pump-fisting moment seeing her grow throughout the read.

King Adrian Aleksandr Vasiliev is the love of my life.
I have found the one, the top book boyfriend on my list. I'm sorry, Rhysand and Azriel, you're going down the list.
He was phenomenal. He is such a villain hero we all need.
I didn't find frustration in not getting his POV. I felt like his scenes were interjected well in each chapter when needed. Of course, there is a mystery in his story, and feelings and how he found out about Isolde were still questions to be answered.
He had a part to play in Isolde's truth discovery, and though he was an alpha dominant male, he never underestimated Isolde and treated her as an equal.

I can't wait to see how their relationship develops. I love the enemies-to-lovers romance, and it didn't feel rushed; although they did have sexual tension, it was explained through their connection, which made sense. I want to see where they go from here and how they will fight the war that's been long brewing.

P.s I want to see more involvement of the side characters and their interaction. WE NEED A SQUAD.

“All the stars in the sky,” Adrian said. The words made my heart race, and I halted as an answer that was not my own formed in my mind—are not as bright as my love for you.”

Content Warnings